Chrome's eyes opened slowly and he sat himself up in bed, rubbing his eyes. He glanced over at the curled up figure of Muko still asleep beside him, although she was just a round lump under the blanket. He poked her gently, smiled again and then climbed out of bed. He began making breakfast when he heard Muko's heavy footsteps leaving the bedroom. He looked over at the girl, her blue hair was a mess and she rubbed her closed eyes as she walked.

"Morning," Chrome said, placing a large plate of pancakes on the table. After the two had announced that they had started dating, Kotetsu and Arcadia decided to stay at an inn to give the two some privacy.

"Good morning," Muko said with a tired smile as she scooped some pancakes onto a plate for herself. The two chatted idly as they ate. As if on cue, almost as soon as they finished eating there was a knock at the door. Chrome got to his feet and opened the door to find Arcadia panting on the other side, leaning on the door frame.

"Arcadia, what's up?" Chrome asked.

"It's Kotetsu and Vakross… they got taken by a group of DGamers!" Arcadia said urgently. Chrome heard something drop inside the house and within seconds Muko was at his side.

"What? How did they get taken?" Chrome asked. As he spoke he had already opened his menu and was in the process of equipping his weapon and shield.

"We were out doing some training and we got ambushed. Vakross and Kotetsu managed to kill several of them so the ones who were left decided to capture them instead of killing them right away," Arcadia explained, tears in her eyes. "I can't believe I let that happen to them."

"Don't worry Miss Arcadia, we'll save them," Muko said, placing her hand on the older woman's shoulder. "Right Chrome?"

"Right, Muko and I will get changed and then we'll go get them," the swordsman replied. Arcadia nodded and watched as Chrome and Muko headed inside. They came back a minute later in their combat gear and the three set out. "What floor were you attacked on?"

"It was just outside Algade, I saw them going east from where we fought them," Arcadia explained. The three teleported to Algade and then let Arcadia lead them to the site of the DGamer ambush. From there they headed east until they found a large hut on the edge of the lake Chrome and Muko had been looking at the previous day.

"Not a bad hiding spot, because of the trees you can't see this place until you come right down to the lake. We better be careful, if we get spotted it could put Kotetsu and Vakross in danger," Chrome said, crouching down behind some bushes. Muko and Arcadia crouched down with him and watched the hut.

"What's your plan Chrome?" Arcadia asked. Chrome glanced back, he could see the anguish in her expression, she felt responsible for all this.

"We'll do what we always do, go in and kick ass. With a little bit of sneaking around," Chrome said with a reassuring smile. "We'll look for a back entrance, if not there's a chimney on the top of the house, if there's a way onto the roof we can send Muko down into the house that way."

"But won't that be dangerous?" Arcadia asked, looking at Muko.

"I can do it. I'm tired of having everyone protecting me all the time, from now on I'll fight just as hard as you guys," Muko said, tightening her grip on her mace.

"I'll be back," Chrome said. He made his way into the trees bordering the hut, making sure to keep low to the ground as he scanned the building. He could see several players with various weapons surrounding the hideout, looking out into the trees for any signs of movement. Chrome knew if he went much closer he'd be spotted for sure. "How to do this?" he whispered to himself, lying flat in the undergrowth. He closed his eyes and listened intently.

"Do you really think this guy is gonna show?" one of the DGamers standing guard asked.

"Of course he is, Nobunaga said if we captured his friends it would draw him out," another replied.

"But why is Nobunaga so obsessed with him? I mean sure we call him the D Hunter but I don't see why Nobunaga should have any reason to want him dead."

"Hey, it ain't our job to question him. We just do what we're told. He turned this game back into a real death game for us so we owe him."

Chrome's eyes opened and went wide as he heard the conversation. All this had just been to draw him out? He asked himself the same question the DGamer asked, why did Nobunaga care about him? He was just an everyday player, nothing special. He shook his head and made his way back to Muko and Arcadia.

"So, what's the plan?" Arcadia asked, watching as Chrome returned.

"Apparently all of this was a plan just to draw me out," Chrome replied.

"What, why do they want you?" Muko asked, a worried expression on her face.

"I'm not really sure. But hopefully if I go out they won't do anything to Kotetsu and Vakross, I can distract the DGamers while the two of you get into the house." Chrome got to his feet and drew Amethyst Edge and kept his Shield of the Storm ready as he made his way towards the front of the house. Muko tried to stop him but it was too late.

"Yo, that's the guy right?" one of the DGamers by the front door whispered to his fellow guard.

"Yeah, that's him," the other said.

"I want my friends back," Chrome declared, pointing his sword at the first DGamer who had spoken. There were a few seconds of hesitation before the targeted player stepped forward and drew his own sword.

"Don't know who you're talking about, do you Hidaro?" he asked, looking at his ally.

"Nope, not a clue Tokunaga," the second player said with a grin, drawing a sword.

"Cut the act. I already know you kidnapped them to lure me out. Just let them go and let's get this over with," Chrome said. The two DGamers could see the serious expression on Chrome's face and both knew he wasn't messing around.

"Well then, I guess he already knows. That's too bad. I wanted to screw with his mind a bit before he fell before the Reaper Brothers," Tokunaga said with a twisted, psychotic grin. Chrome's eyes flickered between the two swordsmen as they raised their swords and unison. He could also see the other players that were guarding the house coming to watch.

"Reaper Brothers?" Chrome asked, keeping his weapon ready.

"We've killed more players in these last few days than any other Death Gamers, you'd be smart to fear us," Hidaro said, his grin matching Tokunaga's.

"If you're so terrifying, why is it you were both put out here on guard duty?" Chrome saw Tokunaga's eyebrow twitch. Hidaro smiled a little and grinned.

"We were placed here because obviously Lord Nobunaga trusts us to take you down more than he trusts anyone else," he said. "Now enough chatter, it's time for you to die!" The Reaper Brothers charged forward and Chrome took a deep breath.

As his shield came up to block an overhead strike from Hidaro, a low strike from Tokunaga forced him to quickly reverse his sword and lower it to block the attack. Chrome jumped back and watched his two opponents intently as they circled him. They were fast and there was no denying that they were skilled. For once his opponent had both a loud bark and a strong bite. He had the feeling if he let them gain the upper hand, there wasn't much chance of him surviving this fight.

Chrome tightened his grip on his sword and charged at Hidaro. The two clashed swords and Chrome knew Tokunaga was coming up right behind him. Chrome dragged his sword across Hidaro's and spun around, the tip of his weapon catching Tokunaga on the stomach. The latter jumped back with a slightly shocked expression as Chrome blocked a blow from Hidaro with his shield and stepped away.

His eyes constantly moved between his two opponents, watching their every move carefully. He also worried that one of the watching DGamers might come and attack him from behind while he was focused on the fight. It wouldn't surprise him if that happened.

Muko swung her mace upwards and the last remaining DGamer at the back of the hut was defeated. She sheathed her weapon as he shattered into shards of data. Arcadia came up behind Muko, putting her axe away and looking at the building's back door. "Ready?" she asked. Muko nodded.

Muko silently opened the door and crept inside, Arcadia right behind her. They had come into the hut's kitchen and Muko crouched down behind the bench in the centre of the room. She peeked up over the top, her eyes scanning the dining room ahead of her. There didn't seem to be anyone there. Muko made a small hand signal to Arcadia and the two proceeded into the dining room, stopping at the next door. The two girls stood on one side each before Arcadia quietly opened the door ever so slightly.

The purple haired woman peered inside what seemed to be the living room. It was sparsely decorated with just a single large table in the centre of the room and a large fireplace against the rear wall. Tied up in front of the fire was Vakross and Kotetsu with two DGamers standing guard with spears. Arcadia closed the door and moved over to Muko.

"They're tied up in there. Two spear-users are guarding them," Arcadia whispered.

"We can't physically hurt them since we're in a house but you can still stagger them and keep them away with your weapon, I'll focus on saving the boys," Muko whispered in response. Arcadia nodded and brandished her axe. She kicked the door open and charged with a yell, ramming a shoulder into the closest guard. There was a bright light and sparks when she came in contact with the safe zone barrier surrounding him but he was still thrown off his feet.

The other DGamer panicked, taking a step back as Arcadia swung her massive axe. Muko crouched low and moved quickly across the room to her allies, starting to undo Kotetsu's ropes. "Next time you're gonna send Arcadia in like that warn me, she scared the hell outta me," the dagger-user said. Muko worked quietly as Arcadia held the two DGamers away with her axe.

"Hurry it up Muko!" she called.

As Muko released Kotetsu, the boy quickly opened his menu and equipped his dagger, swiftly using it to sever Vakross' bindings. The swordsman cracked his neck and got to his feet. "Arcadia move," he said, stepping past the purple haired woman. He strode up to the closest DGamer and grabbed him by the face. "This is payback, asshole," he said in a low voice, lifting the player slightly before launching him out the closest window.

Chrome heard the glass shatter and turned to see a spearman fly out the window and crash to the dirt, rolling several times. He raised an eyebrow at the random event and then turned his attention back to his fight. Chrome crouched down and his shield began to glow green. Hidaro saw his chance and readied his weapon.

"I'm going for it brother!" he yelled, charging at Chrome.

"Hidaro, no! Get back!" Tokunaga yelled, but it was too late. A grim smile came across Chrome's lips and he unleashed his skill.

"Shield Charge!" he called out. He sprung force with incredible speed and rammed his shield hard into Hidaro. Next his sword came up, the blade shining red. "Cross Swirl!" Two lightning fast slashes formed an X on Hidaro's chest before a strong spinning slash sent him to the ground. Chrome spun his sword into a reverse grip and aimed the point at Hidaro. "You're finished," he said, driving the sword down. There was a short scream of fear from Hidaro before he died.

"Y-you bastard… you killed my brother!" Tokunaga roared, charging forward in a rage. Chrome sidestepped the clumsy overhead swing and then kicked the toe of his boot into Tokunaga's ankle. The DGamer fell to the dirt with a thud and Chrome pointed his sword down at him.

"Either surrender now or join your brother back at level one. Your choice," Chrome said in a cold, threatening tone. Tokunaga remained silent and still. Chrome sheathed his sword and turned to the gathered DGamers. "Anyone else wanna try me?" he asked, looking into the eyes of every one of them.

Tokunaga silently rose to his feet behind Chrome, raising his sword and readying himself to bring it down. Just as his sword began to lower, two sharp objects entered his back and a small lightning bolt symbol appeared near his health bar. Chrome spun and drove his sword through Tokunaga's chest as Kotetsu's dagger pierced his lower back. The swordsman fell to the ground with a grunt before he shattered.

"Thanks for that," Chrome said, noting two throwing darts missing from Kotetsu's belt.

"Anytime," Kotetsu said, watching the surrounding DGamers intently.

"What say you asshats give attacking us another try when we're all together," Vakross said, drawing his katana. Arcadia stood at his side with her axe ready as Muko moved up next to Chrome, the sunlight catching the end of her mace.

The large group of DGamers hesitated for a few seconds before they all started taking out teleport crystals and disappearing to various towns. Chrome and his friends all sheathed their weapons, looking around for any remaining enemies.

"I don't think there are any left," Muko said, putting her mace away.

"Well, that was fun. I was half expecting to turn up here and they'd be like I'm sorry, your friends are in another hut," Chrome said, sheathing Amethyst Edge. Vakross let out a sigh at the comment and shook his head.

"Terrible references aside, thanks for coming to save us man," Kotetsu said, placing a hand on Chrome's shoulder.

"Anytime, you'd do the same for me," Chrome replied.

"Damn right I would."

"What should we do now?" Arcadia asked, looking between her comrades.

"Well, I'm off to get an apartment or something, I should have enough money now thanks to the grinding we did today before all this crap happened," Kotetsu said.

"I think I'm going to get some new equipment commissioned, I'm ashamed that I lost to those losers so easily," Vakross said, inspecting his katana.

"Before you guys take off I wanna do something," Chrome said, bringing up his menu. He clicked on several things before each of his friends suddenly had a text box appear in front of them. Each of them read the same thing.

Chrome has invited you to join the following guild:

Azure Storm

Kotetsu grinned and instantly hit the accept button. Everyone else did the same. Chrome smiled a little as the guild symbol, a tear dropped shaped shield with a sword running through it and the letters AS on the side, appeared on each of his friends' chests.

"Badass name and crest," Kotetsu said, inspecting the new image on his breastplate.

"So that's the name you picked from the huge list you were writing in bed last night?" Muko asked with a smile. Chrome nodded. "It sounds good, thank you for letting me join."

"Ditto," Vakross said. "Well, later guys. Let me know if you need me for anything," Vakross said, walking away with a wave.

"I'll probably come visit after I get my place and set it all up," Kotetsu said. He nodded to Chrome and headed off in the same direction as Vakross.

"What will you do Miss Arcadia?" Muko asked, looking at the older woman.

"I was probably going to come bug you two for a while," she said with a mischievous grin.

"How's that any different from any other day?" Chrome asked, beginning the walk back to Algade. Muko took Chrome's hand and walked at his side while Arcadia followed along behind them.

"I'm really glad we saved them," the purple haired woman said quietly with a happy smile.